Stigmasterol-rich phytosterol composition and use

Abstract

A stigmasterol-rich phytosterol composition is prepared wherein the composition comprises at least 50% stigmasterol, based on the total weight of phytosterols, no more than 1000 ppm water, no more than 50 ppm ethanol, and wherein stigmasterol is at least 98% in the anhydrous form. A ready-to-freeze beverage is provided comprising the stigmasterol-rich composition and water, with optional additives. A frozen beverage is prepared from the ready-to-freeze beverage as a pourable slush. There are further provided processes to prepare the ready-to-freeze beverage and the frozen slush beverage.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process to prepare an improved stigmasterol ice nucleating agent, said process comprising: providing a sample of crude stigmasterol having more than 1000 ppm water; heating said crude stigmasterol under conditions of time and temperature sufficient to form a composition having less than 1000 ppm water, wherein in said composition substantially all of the crude stigmasterol is converted to anhydrous crystalline stigmasterol, wherein the anhydrous crystalline stigmasterol is in the monoclinic space group C2 having unit cell parameters a=50.816(59) Å, b=7.240(61) Å, c=25.423(60) Å, and β=113.807(43)°. 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1  wherein the heating is performed in an oven, fluidized bed or a tumble dryer. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 1  wherein the condition of temperature is above about 94° C. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 1  wherein the conditions of time and temperature are about 90 minutes and about 135° C., respectively. 
     
     
       5. An anhydrous stigmasterol composition prepared according to the process of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       6. The anhydrous stigmasterol composition of  claim 5  having no more than 100 ppm water. 
     
     
       7. The anhydrous stigmasterol composition of  claim 5  further characterized by a moisture pick up which is substantially nil at 97% relative humidity and 52° C. 
     
     
       8. The anhydrous stigmasterol composition of  claim 5  wherein the anhydrous stigmasterol composition is food grade suitable for human consumption. 
     
     
       9. A frozen slush beverage comprising an effective amount of ice nucleating agent, wherein said ice nucleating agent comprises the anhydrous stigmasterol composition of  claim 8 . 
     
     
       10. The process of  claim 1  wherein said heating of said crude stigmasterol is performed at about 1 atm or less. 
     
     
       11. The process of  claim 1  wherein at least 98% of the crude stigmasterol is converted to the anhydrous crystalline stigmasterol.